Beating out shortlisted competition including John Friedman Alice Kimm and Brooks+Scarpa, Italian firm Studio Fuksas has been awarded the commission to revamp the Beverly Center, the legendary (not to mention, ahem, aesthetically challenging) high end shopping mall in Beverly Hills. The job, overseen by Michigan-based developer Taubman Group, calls for revamping a building that has become tired both inside and out. Considering the ethereal lightness of Fuksas’ work—for instance, his undulating, glass-wrapped Fiera in Milan— he should be the perfect architect to reconsider one of the bulkiest buildings in LA. Look for an official announcement in the coming weeks.

This building had few face lifts. I hope It doesn’t turn into one of those excessive face-lift jobs we see in Beverly Hills plastic surgery disasters. But, (also ahem!) really, what is there to lose?
On the other hand, hopefully they might do few daring acts as they have short listed some creative people. I would have preferred a Los Angeles architect for the dire local economy, but also think a fresh pair of eyes from Italy wouldn’t be so bad either.